about the dramatic success. The building was an important strategic position and three attacks had already failed.
"Ah, there you are," said the company commander. "The battal-ion commander keeps asking for you. You are to report to him immediately." And his expression said: "I’m sorry, my friend. We are in the army. Where would we be if everyone just went his own way?"
As Menashke entered the chief s room, he knew that he had gone too far this time. The long-awaited collision between them was unavoidable. He, the product of the Palmach, and his boss, who tried to emulate the traditions of the British Army.
"Menasheh Jaari" said the chief. In critical moments he always called sinners by their full names. "You have committed a serious misdemeanor. You have contravened a fundamental principle of the army- discipline. You did not execute a clear command ..."
He spoke for almost a quarter of an hour, and each word was like a hammer blow. This is the end of me, thought Menashke. I will be demoted, thrown out of the army, perhaps even sent to prison. This is the end of my military career.
"Menasheh Jaari," the chief wound up his talk, "in accordance with an order from the brigade commander, I hereby reprimand you severely for violation of the rules of discipline of the Israel Defense Forces!" Menashke was as red as a tomato, but in his head a glimmer of hope was flickering.
The chief busied himself with the papers on his desk, as though he had a lot to do. "By the way," he added as an afterthought, "before I forget: this morning I received the confirmation from the brigade commander: you are promoted to company commander."
One day I had organized a "story evening. " The comrades took it in turns to recount their memories of earlier battles. The idea was to learn from our experiences. The evening was dedicated to the topic "The good commander. "
Passing scenes appeared before us. Commanders whose behavior in combat had made an unforgettable impression. The wounded David Shani, in defense oflbdis. Ary eh Kotzer, who saved a unit of jeeps in Beit Affa at the cost of his own life. Avraham Pulvermacher, known as Polli, who was mortally wounded in the final assault on Beit Affa, but wouldn’t himself to be evacuated before the other wounded had been